Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pj 1–8Expulsion

THE PĀRĀJIKA SUTTA - THE RESONANT TEACHING OF THE RULES OF DEFEAT

Background

Pārājika, meaning "defeat" or the "rules of defeat," is the set of eight rules such that if a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī violates even one, that person is permanently expelled from the Sangha, the monastic community. These rules are recorded in detail in the Vinaya Piṭaka, especially in the Pācittiya and Vibhaṅga collections of the Pāli Canon.

The Pārājika rules were formulated by the Buddha based on real situations that occurred in the early monastic community. Each time a bhikkhu committed an offense, the Buddha established another rule to preserve the purity of the Sangha and protect the reputation of the Dharma. These rules reflect a basic principle: Buddhist monastics must maintain the highest purity with regard to the life of practice.

Main Content

The eight Pārājika offenses, or expulsions, include acts regarded as "incurable" (anāvattika) for a bhikkhu:

First, sexual misconduct (kāmesumicchācāra), all forms of sexual activity, regarded as directly contrary to the vows of restraint kept by a bhikkhu. Second, stealing (adinnādāna), taking an item of significant value without the owner’s permission. Third, intentional killing (sañcicca pāṇapatipatti), killing a human being or causing another to die by some means. Fourth, false speech (musāvāda), lying about one’s state of practice, especially falsely claiming spiritual attainments.

The remaining four rules (Pārājika 5-8) are known in different practical forms according to tradition, but all relate to conduct that violates loving-kindness, truthfulness, and the discipline of training. Their purpose is to maintain the mental independence of the bhikkhu and protect him from the snares of greed, hatred, and delusion.

Practical Meaning

Pārājika rules are not merely mechanical punishments. They reflect the Buddha’s profound understanding of the fundamental obstacles to practice.